Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Hayward enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 56°F (13°C). Winters average 49°F in January while summers reach 63°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. The area gets 324 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Annual precipitation totals 37.0 inches. The area receives 3.1 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48. The city sits at an elevation of 26 feet.
Temperature
49°F Jan (10°C)63°F Jul (17°C)
Annual Average
56.1°F
4% above US avg
January Average
49°F (10°C)
July Average
63°F (17°C)
Sunny Days
324 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
26 ft (8 m)
Area
45.8 sq mi (118.7 km²)
Population Density
3,474/sq mi
Coordinates
37.6268°N, 122.1040°W
Timezone
America/Los_Angeles
County
San Mateo County County
Nearest Airport
Metro Oakland International (OAK) 9 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall37.0"
3% below US avg
Snowfall3.1"
Wettest Month (Jan)3.19"
Driest Month (Jul)0.04"
Air Quality
AQI Median
48.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively High
Risk Score
99.2 / 100
Social Vulnerability
20.5 / 100
Community Resilience
97.6 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively Low
Earthquake
Relatively High
Wildfire
Relatively Moderate
Flood
Relatively High
Hail
Very Low
Strong Wind
Relatively Low
Heat Wave
Relatively Moderate
Winter Weather
Very Low
Lightning
Relatively Moderate
Drought
Relatively High
Cold Wave
No Rating
Landslide
Relatively High
Coastal Flood
Relatively High
Tsunami
Relatively Moderate
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
6,127 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990.
Strongest on record: M6.0.
Aug 24, 2014
The 2014 South Napa, California Earthquake
M6.0
68 km
11 km
Apr 18, 1990
5 km NNW of Aromas, California
M5.4
87 km
5 km
Aug 12, 1998
10 km SW of Ridgemark, California
M5.1
113 km
9 km
Apr 18, 1990
4 km E of Interlaken, California
M5.1
83 km
7 km
Jan 16, 1993
9 km E of Gilroy, California
M4.9
88 km
7 km
Apr 19, 1996
2 km E of Aromas, California
M4.9
93 km
5 km
Sep 3, 2000
5 km WSW of Yountville, California
M4.9
88 km
9 km
Apr 23, 1995
22 km NNE of Soledad, California
M4.9
139 km
7 km
May 14, 2002
5 km SSW of Gilroy, California
M4.9
86 km
7 km
Apr 18, 1990
4 km NNW of Aromas, California
M4.9
87 km
6 km
Sep 4, 1995
13 km SW of Middletown, California
M4.8
130 km
7 km
May 12, 2006
7 km W of Cobb, California
M4.7
146 km
4 km
Apr 18, 1990
4 km N of Aromas, California
M4.7
88 km
4 km
May 21, 1996
8 km ESE of East Foothills, California
M4.7
45 km
8 km
Aug 11, 1993
14 km ESE of Alum Rock, California
M4.7
51 km
9 km
Jan 2, 2025
4 km NW of Cobb, CA
M4.7
147 km
1 km
Aug 27, 2011
21 km NE of Soledad, California
M4.6
142 km
8 km
Aug 18, 1999
0 km S of Bolinas, California
M4.6
60 km
8 km
Mar 24, 1991
1 km NNE of Interlaken, California
M4.6
81 km
15 km
Jan 11, 2000
6 km N of Geyserville, California
M4.6
145 km
6 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
52 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 9 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
May 5, 1998
EF2
29 km
0.6 mi
0
Apr 27, 1953
EF2
97 km
0.1 mi
0
Jan 11, 1951
EF2
29 km
5.7 mi
0
Dec 14, 2024
EF1
65 km
0.3 mi
0
Jan 23, 2010
EF1
44 km
1.6 mi
0
Apr 14, 2006
EF1
97 km
0.5 mi
0
Mar 20, 2005
EF1
28 km
3.0 mi
0
Dec 20, 2001
EF1
79 km
0.5 mi
0
May 5, 1998
EF1
28 km
0.3 mi
0
Jan 14, 1980
EF1
26 km
0.3 mi
0
May 31, 1967
EF1
80 km
0.1 mi
0
Apr 1, 1965
EF1
77 km
0.1 mi
0
Apr 1, 1958
EF1
22 km
0.2 mi
0
Jan 6, 2019
EF0
74 km
0.1 mi
0
Jan 6, 2019
EF0
75 km
0.5 mi
0
Apr 27, 2016
EF0
99 km
0.2 mi
0
Jan 6, 2016
EF0
100 km
0.6 mi
0
Dec 22, 2012
EF0
87 km
1.1 mi
0
Apr 11, 2012
EF0
73 km
0.3 mi
0
Apr 7, 2011
EF0
69 km
0.1 mi
0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Tsunami History
5 tsunamis recorded within 500 km.
Highest wave on record: 4.5 m (15 ft).
Year
Location
Cause
Max Wave
Deaths
Distance
1868
N. CALIFORNIA
Eruption + Earthquake
4.5 m
30
8 km
1989
N. CALIFORNIA
Earthquake
1.0 m
62
69 km
1856
N. CALIFORNIA
Eruption + Earthquake
0.6 m
—
22 km
1906
N. CALIFORNIA
Eruption + Earthquake
0.1 m
—
36 km
1865
N. CALIFORNIA
Eruption + Earthquake
—
—
51 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Nearby Volcanoes
1 volcano within 200 km.
Closest: Clear Lake (160 km).
Name
Type
Elevation
Last Eruption
Distance
Clear Lake
Volcanic field
1,439 m (4,721 ft)
Unknown
160 km
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: SCU LIGHTNING COMPLEX (405,787 acres, 2020).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
2020
SCU LIGHTNING COMPLEX
405,787
55 km
2020
CZU AUG LIGHTNING
85,894
54 km
2017
NUNS
56,883
88 km
2017
ATLAS
51,664
83 km
2007
LICK
47,424
75 km
2006
CANYON
36,851
73 km
1988
MILLER
35,750
89 km
2003
ANNIE
17,383
88 km
2024
CORRAL
16,138
57 km
2009
CORRAL
12,006
54 km
1995
VISION
11,931
81 km
1985
LEXINGTON
11,550
56 km
2015
WRAGG
8,455
95 km
2009
LOCKHEED
8,287
61 km
2003
BIRD
7,727
68 km
1984
SITE 300 3
6,911
56 km
2005
TESLA
6,638
48 km
2003
DEL PUERTO
6,441
66 km
2006
MIDWAY
6,243
51 km
2020
CREWS
5,802
89 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
49°F (10°C)
3.2 in
Coldest, Wettest
February
53°F (12°C)
2.7 in
March
55°F (13°C)
2.6 in
April
58°F (14°C)
1.1 in
May
61°F (16°C)
0.3 in
June
65°F (18°C)
0.1 in
July
63°F (17°C)
0.0 in
Driest
August
67°F (20°C)
0.1 in
Warmest
September
67°F (19°C)
0.2 in
October
63°F (17°C)
1.0 in
November
55°F (13°C)
2.3 in
December
49°F (10°C)
2.3 in
Hayward has a seasonal temperature swing of 18°F / from 49°F in January to 67°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 15.9 inches, with January being the wettest month (3.2") and July the driest (0.0").